Electrical fixture



Jan. 27, 1959 N. H. RICHARDSON ELECTRICAL FIXTURE Filed Nov. 18, 1954 IN V EN TOR. Nop/nMbW/c/Mwso/v A 7'7'ORNE Y nit States This invention relates to electrical fixtures and has for a primary object the provision of an improved, simple, yet highly elficient swivel type electrical fixture adapted to be pivotally connected with a source of electrical power, whereby the fixture can be repeatedly adjusted pivotally to any desired extent without twisting conductors or wearing one against another or against parts of the fixture in a manner to cause eventual shorting.

Another object is to provide an improved economically manufactured electrical coupling'for use with a fixture of the above character and comprising a pair of pivotally connected dielectric elements, one element carrying a pair of contacts adapted to be inserted into a customary electrical socket or receptacle, the other element carrying a second pair of contacts adapted to be connected with a suitable electrical device to be energized, the contactsof the two elements being electrically connected in pairs whereby the elements are feasibly rotated either unidirectionally or reciprocally with respect to each other as often and to any extent desired without causing excessive wear of the conductors or shortening therebetween.

Another and more specific object is to provide an improved compact adjustable lamp fixture of rugged, simplified, and economical design, the fixture being adapted to be readily coupled With a conventional electrical outlet or receptacle and thereafter adjusted pivotally as aforesaid.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical fixture embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational view of the swivel mechanism looking in the direction of the housing from the nose of the swivel mechanism in Fig. 1, portions being broken away to show details of construction.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view taken in the direction of the arrows substantially along the line 4--4 of Fig. 3, portions being broken away to show details of construction.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in Various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, an electrical fixture embodying the present invention is illustrated by way of example comprising a housing or container it) open at one side to receive a pair of fluorescent tubes tnt 11. A pair of tube receptacles 12 are carried by the housing 10 and are electrically connected in parallel by means of a pair of insulated conductors or leads 13 and,

14. The latter are adapted to be connected with a source of electrical power as described below for illuminating the tubes 11. The structure and mounting of the housing 10, tubes 11, and receptacles 12 may be conventional and are accordingly not described in further detail.

A circuit opening 15 provided in a side wall of the housing 10 is covered by a cylindrical dielectric hub 16 suitably secured to the housing 10 by a plurality of screws 17. Opening into the outer end of the hub 16 opposite the housing 10 is a cylindrical well 18 having an annular flanged conductor 19 rotatably seated therein. The conductor 19 comprises a flat base portion supported firmly against the base of the well 18 in bearing relation and also comprises a cylindrical side wall or flange 19a supported firmly against the inner wall of the well 18 in bearing relation.

Rotatable with the conductor 19 is a dielectric core 20 having an enlarged cylindrical base 21 seated snugly against the base of the conductor 19 and firmly confined within the side wall 19a. a conical nose 22 spaced from the base 21 by a screw threaded body portion 23, Fig. 3.

Firmly secured on the threaded core portion 23 is a screw threaded shell conductor 24 having an outer annular flange 24a overlying a shoulder of the core 20 at the base of the conical nose 22. Extending axially within the core and confined snugly therein are a pair of conductors 25 and 26. The former integrally connects the flange 24a and base of the annular conductor 19. The conductor 26 extends coaxially through opposite ends of the core 20 and terminates in enlarged smoothly rounded nose and base contact portions 27 and 28 respectively. The latter is located within the opening of the annular conductor 19 so as to be insulated therefrom.

Located within the hub 16 and opening toward the base contact portion 28 and the base of the annular conductor 19 are a pair of spring wells 29 and 30 respectively containing bearing contactors 31 and 32 respectively. The latter are formed with smoothly rounded enlarged contact portions maintained in bearing contact with the corresponding base contact portion 28 and annular conductor 19 by coil springs 33 and 34 arranged under compression within said spring wells. Each bearing contact 31 and 32 comprises a stem extending slidably through a bore opening into the base of its respective spring Well and terminates in a socket portion having one of each of the leads 13 and 14 secured therein, Fig. 3. The stems of the contactors 31 and 32 are insulated from each other and from the housing 10 by virtue of the opening 15 through which they pass.

The core 20 is rotatably confined within the well 18 by means of a C-type ring 35 of resilient material having portions located within an annular inwardly opening channel 36 in the side wall of the well 18 and also havingother portions snugly overlying the cylindrical base 21. By drawing opposite ends of the C-type ring 35 circumferentially toward each other, Fig. 2, the latter is withdrawn from the channel 36 to permit separation of the core 20 and hub 16. In order to facilitate tightening of the core 20 within a conventional electrical screw-type socket, a pair of radially opening holes 37 are provided in the core 20 intermediate the shell 24 and hub 16 for reception of a spanner wrench. When thus tightened into the screw-type socket, the nose contact portion 27 will be in electrical contact with the conventional central terminal of the screw-type socket, whereby a circuit is completed through the conductor 26, contactor 31, lead 13, lights 11, lead 14, contactor 32, conductors 19, 25

The core also comprises and 24, and thence to the customary threaded contact of the screw-type socket.

It is apparent by virtue of the foregoing construction that the hub 16 andhousing it are adapted'to be rotated in either direction and to any extent desired with respect tothe core 20, without causing twisting or wearing of the insulated leads 13 and 14. By reason of the cylindrical flange 19a snugly embracing the base 21, in cooperation with the eccentrically located conductor 25 connecting the conductors 19 and 24,21 rugged unitary assembly rotatable within well 18 is provided. The conductor 25 firmly confinedby core 20 serves to connect conductors wand 24 both electrically and mechanically for rotation as a unit-with core-2i Springs .33 and 34 pressing outwardly on the enlarged contact po ions of the bearing contactors 31 and 32 yieldingly 1i the latter in eficient electrical contact with'conductors 19 and 28, eliminating sparking between the connections during pivotal adjustment ofhousinglii. in the latter regard, the various conductors and contact portions shown are preferably copper alloy metals which afford excellent wear resistance with optimum economy and electrical conductivity. Y e

I claim:

1. In an electrical connection, a dielectric hub having a well therein, an annular conductor rotatably seated within said well and having a flanged sidewall portion in bearing relation with the sidewall of said well, a rotatable dielectric core having a base seated within the flanged portion of said annular conductor and having a nose extending outwardly from said weli, a C ring interengaging portions of said hub and core to hold the same against relative axial displacement, an axial conductor extending through said core and having enlarged contact portions at opposite ends projecting from said nose and base respectively, the contact portion projecting from said base being located within the opening of said annular conductor and being spaced from the latter, a threaded shell conductor around said core between said nose and base and adapted to screw into an electrical socket, an eccentrically located conductor fixed within the body of said core and connecting said annular and shell conductors, said hub also having a pair of spring wells therein opening toward the-base 4 of said core and confronting said annular and axial conductors respectively, a pair of conductors shiftable axially within said spring wells respectively and contacting said annular and axial conductors respectively, and spring means within said spring wells yieldingly urging said pair of conductors into engagement with said annular and axial conductors respectively.

2. In an electrical connection, a dielectric hub having a well therein, an annular conductor rotatably seated within said well and having a flanged sidewall portion in bearing relation with the sidewall of said well, a rotatable dielectric core having a base seated within the flanged portion of said annular conductor and having a nose extending outwardly from said well, means interengaging portions of said hub and core to hold the same against relative axial displacement, an axial conductor extending through said core and having contact portions at 0pposite ends projecting-from said nose and base respectively, the contact portion projecting from said base being located-within the opening of said annularconductor and being spaced from the latter, a shell conductor around said core between said nose and base and adapted to fit into an electrical socket, an eccentrically located conductor fixed within the body of said core and connecting said annular and shell conductors, said hub also having a pair of spring wells therein opening toward the base of said core and confronting said annular and axial conductors respectively, a pair of conductors shiftable axially within said spring wells respectively and contacting said annular and axial conductors respectively, and spring means within said spring wells yieldingly urging said pair of conductors into engagement with said annular and axial conductors respectively.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Iurasevich Oct. 25, 1949 In Mow!) 

